How to Have a Successful Antique Appraisal

The many antique road shows that travel around the country demonstrates the high level of interest people have in antiques. Throughout the world there are people who are professional collectors of antiques or have an interest in them due to an item passed on to them from a previous generation.

The television show "Antique Roadshow" has motivated many people to make an effort to have items that have been passed down the generations to be appraised for value and history. There are a few ways that you can have some take a look at your antique item and inform you on its history and monetary value.

However, you should have some caution when you are searching for people to appraise your antique, especially if it is an online appraisal. This is not to say that online appraisers aren't good, just that you need to be double sure that they are qualified to give an accurate quote.

When using an online company to have an antique valued, do as much background checking you can to ensure that you will not be ripped off or given a poor appraisal.

An real life and first hand appraisal done by a reliable professional should be your first choice in getting your antique valued. The trick with this method is finding an appraiser who is reliable and reputable, and there should be many in your local area that fit this description if you do the right investigations. Just be sure to not tell them whether you are intending to sell the item or not because they may give you a low ball quote so that they can buy the item at a discount from you.

This is because antique merchants - as with all businesses - try to make money by buying at wholesale prices and selling higher. Make sure that you get not just one quote but three or four from different antique companies. Don't be surprised if they vary as appraisals can swing to different extremes because not all professionals will necessarily agree with each other.

Also, make sure that you use an antique valuer who has a special interest in what you are having valued. For example, if you have a furniture piece from the Victorian Era use a antique company that specializes in Victorian wares. This will ensure that you will have an expert in that area value your item for you and will minimize the chance of a bad appraisal.

The fee for having an antique valued can vary widely, depending on the expertise of the valuer and piece getting valued. Because you will likely get charged for the valuation it is important that you chose the correct person for the job. You can only do this by doing your homework on them and even the piece itself so that you talk the right jargon to the appraiser. Who knows, you might even find yourself taking up antiques as your full time hobby!

About the Author

Richard Neesal lists a wide range of Antique Wall Clocks for sale on his website at very reasonable internet prices. You can find vintage United States wall clocks by the likes of Seth Thomas.